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Drew Carey is the Right Price Barker

Word has reached GIGIG headquarters that our favorite loveable lug — Drew Carey — has been officially tapped to replace the venerable Bob Barker as host of “The Price is Right.” Carey made the announcement himself yesterday during a taping of Late Show with David Letterman.

One of Carey’s strengths is his ability to share the stage, which he proved while hosting “Whose Line is It Anyway?” and starring in his eponymous ensemble comedy series. To help complete the package, he’s recently begun to refine his hosting chops with “The Power of Ten.”

A show such as “The Price is Right” requires a host who understands that people tune in to see the antics of the contestants as much as anything else. And although Carey is currently 6,586 episodes behind his predecessor, he has something going for him that Barker didn’t: Carey is nothing if not huggable.